College

[David J.]

Damn this sucks. My folks have made a deal concerning college and it seems they won't honor it, or they keep changing their mind, or deny that said this or that. Anyone else have their parents change their minds about college? Like who's paying for it or whatnot?

There goes my dreams of driving a new car in four years...

[Melf]

I basically had my dad set my brother up with an apartment (fully furnished and with all utilities paid) and not give me squat for college. Since he was always dad's favorite, he got everything.

Needless to say, my brother dropped out after a year, and I went on to do a masters degree.

Bitter irony or poetic justice?

[David J.]

Well, I have three half-sisters who've been in college. Let's see how they turn out:

One had a kid when she was 16, she later got her GED and paid her way through college and got her life on track, however her kid is a covicted felon.

One is disowned, so I don't know squat about her.

One spent three years in a two year college and is now going away to a four year school, her mom is paying for it, and bought her a newer car to replace her old car. Plus she's addicited to GI's (I live in a area near military base) so I have a feeling she'll have a kid in a few years, sad but true.

My parents are confused about college. They think I can get my four year degree locally, and my dad is saying I'll have to pay for tuition right after saying he'll pay for it, as long as I get a C.

I pay for books right now. My folks aren't short on cash, and neither am I...

[David J.]

Now my mom said: "Get through four years of college, and we'll give you double of what's in your savings account towards a new car."

Which if she remembers saying that, she better start saving for the loan in a few years. ;) 'cuz I have quite a fortune in the bank for a 18 year old.

Now she is denying it. Now my dad is saying I'll have to pay for tutition _and_ books if I go to a four year school, he said "You pay for books, and I'll pay your tuitition as long as you get atleast get a C."

Those are some damn fine deals, but this all started today when my dad told me that a family friend got a new car, one that I want and I don't think he'll let me take it for a spin.

[Melf]

When it comes to college and what parents offer, I've learned one thing:

Get it in writing.

[David J.]

Actually, I am going to do that.

Really, the next time this crap is mentioned, I'm going to stop everything and get it in writing.

[lordofduct]

I will have to agree...

I have 5 siblings. I am the only one to graduate HighSchool... my brother Mark graduated but had to attend summer school his senior year to do it.

THe rest... nope.

They all got handed money for cars, for college, even for a down fucking payment on a house.

ME: "Dylan is smart, he can do it. Dylan is strong, he can handle it." THat is what I always hear. I pay for every bit of my school, pay for every tiny bit of my car, every tiny bit of everything since EVER.

My sister got a brandnew Mazda when she turned 16, I got a 89' Ford Mustang 4 cylinder. She got tired of the Mazda so she got a Lexus is300... me, I got a 87' Chevy Celebrity.

I paid for my cars, I paid for my insurance... the sister got her insurance paid for and half the car payments paid for on the Lexus!

Don't even ask about school.

[David J.]

My aunt is getting a million dollars when my grandma dies, my dad ain't getting shit. He deserves it, and I deserve it. She's a whiney, lazy ass bitch and I make more money than her. An 18 year old making more than a 50 year old who lives with her mother? Wow.

I get decent grades, I work hard at my job, I do voulenteer work, I save all of my wages from work, I'm a good son, and I get a lot of respect from my teachers and bosses. I graduated with a B, which is good given the idiots in my area. Fuck, I haven't ended up like my dad's other children.

As for the car four years from now... I'll see if I can convince them to pay for half of the loan, and I pay for half. Or something like that. I ain't buying a fucking car from up here, unless it was new. And the one I want, the dealer is a crock.

My car:
http://www.haasnissan.com/preowned/IM002516.JPG

It looks like this one, except it has a dent in the drivers door, and some scratches (I drive it like a fuckin' nut).

[landstalkerx]

When it comes to college and what parents offer, I've learned one thing:

Get it in writing.

Or you could use a voice recorder. A lot of MP3 players have them built in now.



I don't have to worry about paying for college, my grandparents set some money aside for me to go to college. Which is good because I can't legally work in America. So my only sources of income, while I'm here are, my parents, and online trading/selling.

[David J.]

Well, I have a feeling push come to shove my dad will pay for tuititon, but car wise, I'll just take a loan out right after I get a job, if all else fails, or just ask my folks for some $$$.

[Dartagnan1083]

I'm an only child in my imidiate family.
My 2 half sisters had help with their college way back in the 60s.

And I'm technecally getting help now despite never being gainfully employed.

Funny how the capable are sorta weened into an educational-hardship while slackers get help that encourages slacking.

[lordofduct]

Funny how the capable are sorta weened into an educational-hardship while slackers get help that encourages slacking.

I know. But then I will admit, the fact my family paid very little attention to me is why I fought so hard to be capable.

I wouldn't change what I've had for anything. I just feel that today, being in the position I am now. I should get a freaking hand out finally. I am a person who believes you should only receive what you need... but then at the same time I feel that things should also be fair when possible. To be fair it is surely my time to be given something USEFUL.

I don't want some toy, no computer parts, no electronics or gizmo shit. Give me a fucking education for once. I can barely afford one class a semester on my own. Because shit you know they ain't gonna let me back under their roof.... I left the hell hole at 17 with my finger HIGH in the air. You wanna stick me in the fucking garage with out AC and bitch at me cause I don't do chores around the house. Oh yeah not that I don't work 70+ hours a week assholes. Oh wait, but I don't work as hard as my sister... huh? I don't work as hard as my sister. I see my girlfriend for 3 hours a week because I'm busy at all other times. But then my sister has the time to go to the bars 3 nights a week. FUCK YOU.

Thank God I have fixed my schedule by moving out. Now I have time to do stuff.

Sorry, I was venting... why was I venting?

[Melf]

I agree. After a while of working your ass off, you think: where the hell's my helping hand?

My dad was always behind my big bro, and I always came second. I went through five years of college and 3 years of graduate school with him barely sending me $200 for my college ring. I paid for my education, through loans and such, and my mom helped me whenever she could (she's always been on my side).

My brother dropped out of college and has basically disappeared for the last decade or so, refusing contact with anyone. Heck, he didn't even go to my wedding, and I'm his only sibling.

Now, I'm the one who sends out the Christmas, birthday, and Father's Day cards. I'm the one who visits every year and makes sure my daughter knows her grandfather. I guess now I'm the favorite by default.

Funny how that works.

[Drixxel]

I started taking a business administration program in September and made enough cash in the summer to pay for the whole first year, so screw skipping classes and slacking off - I paid for that shit, I may as well make the most of each bloody class. I mean, I'm a hard worker as it is, but having to pay for the entire college experience with my own precious savings adds that extra bit of motivation to succeed. The college I'm attending is a ten minute walk from my house, so I don't have to worry about rent or transportation expenses, and my parents aren't asking for monthly room and board while I'm partaking in this education. I'd say it's all falling into place nicely. College is runnin' smooth so far, and in a few years I'll have a gaming specialty store to my name if all goes well.

[David J.]

Well, today is a new day I'm sure everything will be alright for me. I do feel bad for you guys.

And I will get that Dodge Charger!

[crazyjoedavola]

One theme that seems to be running through these posts is that those who are handed everything don't know how to work hard or handle responsibility while those who had to do it themselves have had more success.

I was an only child and was given pretty much whatever I wanted and I paid for it by having a crappy work ethic. I flunked out of college the first time, but when I decided to go back, my parents said "you're on your own". So I did whatever I had to do to pay for and finish and I'm glad I did it myself.

[lordofduct]

I just read that and started staring at your avatar of Sonic running... if you look long enough it starts to look like he is running backwards.

[Dartagnan1083]

no it doesn't :P

[David J.]

One theme that seems to be running through these posts is that those who are handed everything don't know how to work hard or handle responsibility while those who had to do it themselves have had more success.

I was an only child and was given pretty much whatever I wanted and I paid for it by having a crappy work ethic. I flunked out of college the first time, but when I decided to go back, my parents said "you're on your own". So I did whatever I had to do to pay for and finish and I'm glad I did it myself.

I have a good work ethic: I most always work extra, train new people, be friendly and save most all of my earnings. My parents worked hard for what they have, and so have I. I'm well-liked at my job by everyone. Is that a bad ethic? I have a _serious_ devotition to my degree, although I want to get my math and english classes out of the way.

It's funny, a lot of people I know can't fathom that my family was poor at one point. Before I was born, my dad had something happen at his cushy job (my dad was actually a detective) that he's not willing to discuss, they had a lot of debt and my mom just started her job, and a lot of the problems she has now then started whne she started.

However I am reminded of someone. There's this person I used to friends with, but for a while now, he's been a spoiled punk. I'ma thiking of keying the new truck his mommy and daddy bought him, but then I'd be as bad as him. Really tho, I'm shocked it's not ruined like his '87 olds. Something is messed up about a 18 year old kid blaring rap music out of a '05 truck.